Irwell River Park

Work has begun on a new footbridge to link Salford to Spinningfields.

The £1.8m footbridge, has been funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which is managed by the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA),  Allied London, the lead developer, and Salford City Council.  

Due for completion in early 2012, the sleek new footbridge is the latest part of the Irwell River Park programme.  It will create a direct gateway between English Cities Fund’s exciting proposals for the expansion of the commercial district in to the New Bailey area of Salford Central and the award winning commercial and residential district of Spinningfields in Manchester.

The bridge will launch from the Leftbank development  in Spinningfields and sweep over the River Irwell before landing close to the Mark Addy pub on Stanley Street in Salford. Stanley Street will benefit from improvements including new lighting and paving, creating a new riverside routeway that will link across New Bailey Street, towards Chapel Wharf.  The New Bailey development will also establish an onward link to the revitalised Salford Central train station.

Councillor John Merry CBE, Leader of Salford City Council, said: “This bridge is another step towards unlocking the untapped economic potential in this area. Salford Central is being transformed as we focus on bringing further jobs and opportunities to the city and region.

“This bridge improves our links to the award winning Spinningfields development and provides the platform to further develop much needed business and commercial space in New Bailey.

“It is also another step towards achieving our vision for Irwell River Park, as it further enhances Salford’s historic waterways, which are currently being transformed thanks to the Salford City Council staff working on the Irwell River Park team. This work will further improve the links along the water, linking this development along a 3km stretch of the Irwell down to MediaCityUK at Salford Quays.”

David Malpass, Head of the European Programme for ERDF, said:

“The footbridge will create a strategic link between Salford Central and Spinningfields improving connectivity and footfall between two major employment areas. The connection will increase vibrancy within the area and create the physical conditions for future private sector investment. This is a critical piece of infrastructure which will contribute to the further economic growth of the commercial offering of Salford and Spinningfields, one of Europe’s largest city centre developments.”

Michael Ingall, Chief Executive, Allied London Properties Limited, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the commencement of this long awaited vital piece of infrastructure and public realm. Spinningfields will be directly connected to Salford Station and the bridge will achieve a better and easier connection for many people.

The bridge also creates a potential next place for commercial development up to Salford Station; it will greatly assist the asset management of the Left Bank and bring real life to this area of our development.”

The bridge will be completed in February 2012.

This is the third of five new proposed bridge connections across the Irwell and is a vital piece in the Irwell River Park jigsaw that will transform the day to day workings of Salford, Manchester and Trafford’s most unique waterway.

Irwell River Park is a £72 million programme of investment along the Irwell Corridor led by Salford City Council, in partnership with Manchester City Council, Trafford Council and the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA).